A section of the teak trees at Embe Forest Reserve in Western Equatoria State. [Gurtong | Peter Lokale Nakimangole]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole
YEI, 15 August 2012 [Gurtong] –Speaking to Sudan Radio services from Nairobi on Tuesday, Bakosoro confirmed relieving off the Commissioner his duties.
Bakosoro was quoted by the radio as saying that he took the action after receiving reports about the destruction of the forest by cutting down the precious tree species.
“I visited Maridi and listened to both sides. We found that the approval to cut the trees was given by the commissioner and the whole plantation was destroyed,” said Bakosoro.
An Acting Commissioner has already been appointed. Sandarai has been detained in Yambio, the State Capital of Western Equatoria.
The governor said that he has assigned powers to the SPLA Force Commander Division Two Brigade Eight to take charge of security at the Embe Forest Reserve.
In 2010, the state government issued an order banning all illegal cutting of the trees in Maridi County, but the order has been violated with officials approving the cutting of the trees using forged documents.
Different companies are involved in the trading of the two species of trees in the county.
Bakasoro said that those found to have violated the order will be penalized in accordance with the law.
Last week, the trucks used in transporting the illegal timber were detained by the police in the county.